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Government minister Baroness Wasi talks of 'respect and admiration' for Colin and Wendy Parry

SENIOR minister Baroness Warsi said she had ‘huge respect and admiration’ for Colin and Wendy Parry after visiting the Peace Centre earlier this week.

The senior minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs and minister for faith and communities was invited by Warrington South MP David Mowat to hear about the cause’s work to prevent, resolve and respond to violent conflict and supporting communities countering extremism and radicalisation.

The politician, who is responsible for relations with Afghanistan and central Asia, said: “I have always said what fundamentally makes me a Conservative is I know communities come up with the best solutions.

“No government department could have thought of this and it’s about the government getting alongside places like this which have managed to turn a tragedy into real hope and optimism.

“There are so many tragedies happening around the world and the challenge of dealing with today’s conflicts is tremendous.

“But there’s a real sense of peace and calm as you enter the building here.

“People have got to have calm, safe places where they can have difficult conversations and I want to support the centre and the fantastic work they do and hopefully have them doing much more in the future.”

The foundation, set up after the Warrington bombing in 1993, hit the headlines this month after problems with funding means a programme to help victims of terrorism is under threat.

It is hoped a meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and Colin Parry will be arranged in the coming weeks to save the ‘Survivors for Peace’ programme and Baroness Warsi provided plenty of helpful advice about how the charity can move forward.

She added: “We are facing difficult, austere times and budgets have been reduced but bureaucracy had been cut back.

“What moved me the most today, as a mum, was seeing the trauma Colin and Wendy have been through after losing a child.

“It’s not the natural order and I have huge respect and admiration for them on a personal level turning it into something positive and it’s been a huge privilege to meet them.”

Comments (4)

'Baroness' Warsi is an interesting case.
The one and only time she ever put herself up for any kind of democratic election the people of Dewsbury ran her out of town on a rail, yet here she is, Senior Minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs and Minister for faith and communities, all without the inconvenience of involving those pesky voters.
Why, at that rate there's hope for one of our local politicos yet.

'Baroness' Warsi is an interesting case.
The one and only time she ever put herself up for any kind of democratic election the people of Dewsbury ran her out of town on a rail, yet here she is, Senior Minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs and Minister for faith and communities, all without the inconvenience of involving those pesky voters.
Why, at that rate there's hope for one of our local politicos yet.Freeborn John

Freeborn John wrote:
'Baroness' Warsi is an interesting case.
The one and only time she ever put herself up for any kind of democratic election the people of Dewsbury ran her out of town on a rail, yet here she is, Senior Minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs and Minister for faith and communities, all without the inconvenience of involving those pesky voters.
Why, at that rate there's hope for one of our local politicos yet.

Until we have a fully elected upper chamber we cannot call ourselves a democracy - and it matters not one jot whether the member of this feudal nonsense got their through inheritance or political patronage. By elected I mean by the electorate, not by the members of their own club.

There are members sat on the red benches of the lords who have served prison time , including for expenses fraud, who would have been out on their ear if we had our say.

[quote][p][bold]Freeborn John[/bold] wrote:
'Baroness' Warsi is an interesting case.
The one and only time she ever put herself up for any kind of democratic election the people of Dewsbury ran her out of town on a rail, yet here she is, Senior Minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs and Minister for faith and communities, all without the inconvenience of involving those pesky voters.
Why, at that rate there's hope for one of our local politicos yet.[/p][/quote]Until we have a fully elected upper chamber we cannot call ourselves a democracy - and it matters not one jot whether the member of this feudal nonsense got their through inheritance or political patronage. By elected I mean by the electorate, not by the members of their own club.
There are members sat on the red benches of the lords who have served prison time , including for expenses fraud, who would have been out on their ear if we had our say.Nick Tessla

As I have just pointed out, Warsi has exactly the same political credentials and gravitas as, well, next doors cat.
That being the case, who gives a toss what this shake and bake 'peer' has to say.

As I have just pointed out, Warsi has exactly the same political credentials and gravitas as, well, next doors cat.
That being the case, who gives a toss what this shake and bake 'peer' has to say.Freeborn John